DYC.

GK: Courtois/Begovic/Eduardo RCB: Azpilicueta/Zouma/Cahill CB: Luiz/Cahill/Terry LCB: Cahill/Aké/Azpilicueta RWB: Moses/Azpilicueta/Ivanovic (Aina) RCM: Kanté/Fabregas/Chalobah (Loftus-Cheek) LCM: Matic/Fabregas/Chalobah (Aké) LWB: Alonso/Aké/Azpilicueta (Kenedy?) RW: Pedro/Willian ST: Costa (Batshuayi) LW: Hazard/Willian (Musonda?) I think this is how the coach is looking at the squad right now. I get the feeling we won't see anyone join. Chels needs upgrades in the positions which need strengthening, which is hard to accomplish in the winter window. If you get 'squad players/backups', you have a problem when the player starting isn't performing up to standards (not because of their form but because of their quality). Ake's return has provided Conte with the option to shuffle. You could move Azpilicueta to wingback if necessary and play Ake in the back three. Not a fan of Azpilicueta at wingback but you can count on him to do a job. Chels has a love affair with players who can do a job. But I could be wrong. I don't like how there are just four players for the front three. Michy never plays so I'm excluding him. Maybe Conte and the club agree. Adding forward who can play up top and out wide would be perfect. And I'm not convinced of Aké at wingback. Don't think he possesses the stamina for the role and he's lacking offensively. So maybe a new wingback as well. A WB who can play both flanks and a versatile forward would be welcome. But again, I don't think we'll see anyone joining.

Hope Van Aanholt plays a blinder and Conte/Chelsea decide to pick him up in the winter. Think he could be a revelation at wingback like Moses.

Actually he's a striker turned winger turned striker. I remember him as a youngster at Milan, he was a striker back then. Aubameyang lacks skill for a wide forward role. Neither does he offer Pedro's work rate. Get someone with real star quality or potential, suiting that role, or stick to Pedro and Willian. Griezmann in 2017 is never happening because of Atleti's transfer ban. You could make an attempt to buy Dybala but that's an extremely difficult one to pull off. It's hard to find the right player for that position.

Boro, Spurs, City, WBA and Sunderland. I looked at those five games and would've taken ten points. Well, there are two games left and Chels have collected nine. Now it's time to take it to the max and win the two remaining games. Do that and there's no way Chelsea can all of sudden slip to finish outside the top three. After that there's the busy Christmas period which will the test the strength of the squad. Palace (a), Bournemouth (h), Stoke (h), Spurs (a) and Leicester (a). Ten points out of that run of five games and Chels will cement their status as true title challengers. Exciting times ahead. Chelsea aren't just winning but the games are actually enjoyable. Can't express how happy I am about that. 'Results football' is not my cup of tea. And no unnecessary drama surrounding the club. Good time to be Chelsea fan I tell you.

They were better. They should've won. But they didn't. Every once in a while a win like that beats a trashing. Especially when they lose control in the end. So sensitive. Hope City stacked up on tissues, tampons, Taylor Swift albums and romantic comedies. As for Aguero. They should lock him up.

WWWWWWWW

I don't care about ref performances at all and I rarely comment on them. But this egg with legs was calm, amazing and exhuded authority.

Not gonna slate him but he really shouldn't be captain. How can of one your lesser players be the captain? Never would've been wearing the band if he wasn't English.

That was up there with the Everton performance. But this was even better because this was away vs City and Azpilicueta and Cahill were both far from great. 16/17 is turning out to be a huge middle finger to the world from David. He's finally tapping into that potential he always had. One of those times a panic buy turns out good.

What the hell was that? Hope he gets a nice suspension for that. How I wish I could've smacked Fernandinho on his head. Fuck em all. Grabbed 'em by the pussy. Oh man, this feels good. 8 Ws on the bounce.

Never been a fan of Costa. I appreciated him but I was not a fan. He's made me totally gaga for him this season though. I got you, Diego.

This wasn't even a Conte win. Costa put the team on his back and carried them to victory. Along with Luiz bossing at the back.

Can't really blame him. He's simply not that good. Those first few games at WB are the best you'll see him and even that wasn't great or anything.

He wasn't good in the first half. Managed to turn it around. Very impressive.

Willian! Beautiful play from Costa. That guy is so strong mentally. He's able to produce the goods in any kind of situation, whether he's playing poorly or his team mates are failing. Shades of Didier. Mad respect for the ref. I love this bald bloke.

By the way. Someone needs to tell Moses he doesn't need to cross the ball all the time.

Enjoyable first half. Chelsea switching good periods with bad ones. Generally lacking finesse. Eden should've finished one of those opportunities. Cahill's own goal was unfortunate. It happens. Ref's having a good game. Letting the game flow. I like that. Chels can still turn this around. An early goal in the 2nd half can change the game. Wonder if Conte has a plan or something.

People shouldn't overreact if the team loses. Losing at the Etihad is normal. And the winning streak has to end at some point. I did think Chels could cause an upset but I'm not as confident with Fabregas in for Matic. This Conte team is all about the collective being greater than the sum of its parts. Fabregas messes up that balance. But who knows, he might play the game of his life. Let's hope for the best. Somewhat surprised he didn't go for Chalobah. Think it's safe to say now he's no more than a squad filler. Midfield really needs strengthening. Chelsea won't be able to play the same XI every matchday. Don't know what to expect. Hoping for a good game.

He'll take ages to make a play and then produce playmaker passes every now and then. Strange player.

Someone please get me a good pic of bearded Oscar (made myself laugh with that last bit).

Azpilicueta is perfection. He was made for this position. Absolutely love him and him not being captain still annoys me. (What was with the gay armband today btw?)

Seven wins in a row with this squad is astonishing. Including games against Utd, Everton, Southampton and now Spurs. Won't say anything about the performance. Enjoying the ride. Good time to be a Chelsea fan.

Oscar's stache is just... It has that feeling of the boys in South Park using a fake moustache to pass off as an adult.

Anyone who can make sense of the Ivanovic sub? And why was Hazard taken off? Is he injured?

Saved by individual magic. That was really bad. The good thing about that half is that it highlighted how this team lacks skill, guile and creativity in every line. When they really have to play, and can't rely on an early goal, it's not that great. And a lack of quality. The winning streak has been great but the team still needs more quality. Well, hope the boys use that bit of luck just now to turn it up in the 2nd half.